Outlook: As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Marine officer, Tom O’Brien knows a little something about commitment, sacrifice and being a leader.

O'Brien

He also understands the concept that no one man, regardless of how valuable, is more important than the entire crew and that sometimes, the right decisions aren’t always the most popular – especially when they’re made under duress.

So when star quarterback Russell Wilson publicly backed him into a corner this summer by remaining undecided whether to return to school for one final football season or concentrate strictly on his budding professional baseball career, O’Brien chose the good of the crew over the needs of one key member.

The decision was a controversial one, especially after Wilson decided to return to the gridiron and signed as a free agent with Wisconsin, But it was a choice made easier by the presence of Wilson’s highly regarded heir apparent, Mike Glennon.

A strong-armed 6-foot-6 junior, Glennon was recruited by O’Brien to the centerpiece of his building effort at State. Now, three seasons later, he’ll finally get the chance to deliver on his promise.

Glennon’s transition into the starting role will be added by plenty of veteran teammates back from last year’s nine-win season and Champs Sports Bowl victory against West Virginia. Among the 14 returning starters are solid offensive linemen R.J. Mattes, Zach Allen and Camden Wentz, and the ACC’s best tight end in Wilmington’s George Bryan.

There are questions, especially at wide receiver where the top three pass catchers from last season are gone and at running back, where promising sophomore Mustafa Greene is out until October with a foot injury. But with a soft early schedule and a defense anchored by linebackers Audie Cole and Terrell Manning, along with a young but experienced secondary, the answers probably won’t have to be found right away.

Bryan

Quotable quotes: “Mike has really stepped in as a leader who commands the offense. He gives you this reassurance and makes the entire offense feel as if it’s in good hands.” Tight end George Bryan.

“It’s a team game, it’s not about one guy. We are confident with the football team we have coming in, with the decision we made. Our focus is to move forward and coach the guys we have.” Coach Tom O’Brien.

Projection:After two frustrating seasons in which injuries forced him to field a makeshift lineup filled with too many freshmen and walkons, all O’Brien asked for going into last year was a normal season in which things finally went according to plan.

He got his wish, and the result was a nine-win season that fell just one game short of the Atlantic Division championship and a trip to the first ACC Championship game in school history.

Sweezy

Though last year’s success helped ease some of the pressure off O’Brien, it could have still have been even better if not for late losses to Virginia Tech, Clemson and East Carolina. Even with those defeats, at least State finally seems to be headed in the right direction. The question is can it keep the momentum going and take the next step toward the top of the league standings without trusted leaders Wilson and Nate Irving there to show the way?

A lot will depend on the development of Glennon, the emergence of an untested wide receiving corps, injuries such as the one that has sidelined defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy for six weeks and the consistency of a completely revamped kicking game.

If everything breaks right, the sky is the limit for the Wolfpack. If they don’t, it will likely feel as though the sky is falling for a fan base desperate for a winner.

“One thing aboutN.C.State, you don’t have to create expectations,” a realistic O’Brien said. “You have to figure a way to get it done.”